Another requirement completed in sewer spill fallout

The city of Lake Ozark crossed another hurdle recently toward meeting mandated improvements to its wastewater system after a significant sewer spill some six years ago.

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The Lake News Online

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Posted Jul. 13, 2013 at 9:45 AM

Posted Jul. 13, 2013 at 9:45 AM

Lake Ozark

The city of Lake Ozark crossed another hurdle recently toward meeting mandated improvements to its wastewater system after a significant sewer spill some six years ago.

The city held three public hearings during its regular meeting July 9 as part of a lengthy process outlined by the DNR to bring the city into compliance with court orders. There were no written or oral comments made during the hearings, which were conducted by Jeff Schug of McClure Engineering.

The hearings were on

•Alternative Engineering Solutions

•Estimated User Charge Rates

•Environmental Impact of the project

Schug provided a PowerPoint presentation on each of the subjects, noting that the city opted to implement a small increase in monthly sewer charges and a voter-approved quarter-cent hike in the sales tax to help pay for the improvements. Total estimated cost of the project is $2.7 million, with anticipated completion in November 2014.

The city has until 2015 to complete the court-ordered upgrades, but anticipates the project should be complete by the middle of next year.

On Sept. 11, 2007, DNR staff observed that a lift station was experiencing a bypass, resulting in a discharge of 10,000 to 15,000 gallons of raw sewage into the lake. DNR staff noted that the sewage caused a dark plume in the water at the Lake of the Ozarks.

DNR notified the city of the bypass, and the city responded and stopped the flow, but conducted no clean up and provided no written notification of the bypass.

As a result, the city was fined $50,000 and was given three years to complete repairs and upgrades to its sewer system.

Beacon Point

The board also accepted a request by Beacon Point, LLC, to accept ownership of a lift station located on Eagle Crest Road.

City Administrator Dave Van Dee explained in a memo to the board that it appears the city accepted the lift station in 2006 but there was no easement or property transfer included with acceptance of the utilities. The property was part of a larger parcel of land that has been sold, and there was a closing on the larger parcel July 3.

The board was asked, and did, accept the newly created lot upon which the lift station is located. The city now will have the applicant prepare a quit claim deed along with verification that that all taxes and fees owned to the city have been paid. The deed will then be presented for board consideration at the July 23 meeting.

Duck Drop

The board also approved a Special Event Permit for the fifth annual Great Bagnell Dam Duck Drop and 5K Walk/Run Aug. 3. The only part of the day's events that will be held on city property is the Walk/Run.